Has your KitchenAid mixer started to weep mysterious tears of brown oil? Before you panic and envision a culinary catastrophe, take a deep breath. You’re not alone, and your beloved mixer isn’t staging a kitchen rebellion. This oily enigma is a common puzzle that has perplexed many KitchenAid owners before you. But fear not, for there’s a simple and intriguing explanation behind those unexpected droplets.
If your KitchenAid mixer is leaking oil, keep on reading to find out what you need to do!
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What Even Is KitchenAid Mixer Oil?
When you first got your KitchenAid mixer, you probably didn’t even know that it had oil. I sure didn’t! With the risk of oil dripping into your baked goods, it’s natural to be concerned about what this stuff is made out of. Certainly, the thought of grease dripping into our desserts doesn’t sound particularly safe or appetizing, right?
Luckily, there is no need to worry. The grease that is used inside of KitchenAid mixers is 100% food-grade grease that is rated to be safe for incidental contact with food products. You might find that if the oil does leak into your batter, it might discolor it a little bit. You can discard it if you want, but there is no risk if you accidentally consume the grease.
How to Tell if a KitchenAid is Leaking Oil
The telltale signs of a KitchenAid leaking oil are often hidden in plain sight, waiting to be discovered. If you notice a brown substance that doesn’t quite fit the usual appearance of your KitchenAid, you might be on the trail of an oil leak.
Should your mixer be the culprit, the evidence will likely be found around the planetary shaft where the beater connects, or near the speed control and tilt lock levers. These are the usual suspects, the places where the brown gunk likes to lurk.
Don’t be surprised if you also find residue on your mixing attachments or even a few stray droplets at the bottom of your mixing bowl.
Recognize any of these signs? While the sight of your KitchenAid mixer leaking oil might send a shiver down your spine, the fix is often simple. Solutions are at hand to restore your mixer to its prime, whisking and beating like a champion in no time at all.
Why is My KitchenAid Mixer Leaking Oil?
Every KitchenAid Mixer that is shipped out of the factory has its gearbox thoroughly packed with solid grease. This grease should be enough to last for the entire lifetime of the mixer itself, which, under normal conditions, is around 15 years.
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As your mixer runs the grease that is coating the inside of the gearbox is redistributed to ensure that all of the gears have a constant lubrication as they run. But, under certain circumstances the oil can begin to separate out of the grease which can in turn lead to your KitchenAid leaking oil.
Here are some reasons why you might have a KitchenAid oil leak:
Infrequent Use
If your KitchenAid is primarily a decorative part of your kitchen that occasionally gets the honor of helping whip up a sweet treat, then it is possible that the lack of regular use is causing your mixer to leak.
When a mixer sits idle for too long, the grease can become packed into the bottom of the gearbox and without the regular movement of the gear to redistribute the grease eventually the oil may begin to separate out. There is an even greater chance of this happening in the summer when the temperature in the kitchen is particularly hot.
The best way to prevent this from happening is to run your mixer regularly. Simply turn your mixer on without any ingredients, and after slowly increasing the speed to high simply allow the mixer to run for 1-2 minutes. This will allow the grease to be moved throughout the gearbox and should prevent any separation inside the idle mixer.
Overheating
On the other end of the spectrum, one reason you may be experiencing your KitchenAid leaking oil is if you frequently run your mixer for extended periods of time without allowing it to rest.
When the grease inside your machine gets overheated from prolonged mixing it can begin to melt. When this happens it can once again lead to a separation of oil from the grease and in turn, leaking yucky brown oil from your beautiful mixer.
In order to prevent your KitchenAid mixer from overheating, be sure to allow your mixer plenty of time to cool down in between batches of delectable delights. The general rule of thumb is that for every 10 minutes of mixing, you should allow your mixer to cool down for 20 – 30 minutes before continuing with your baking.
KitchenAid Leaking Oil Repair Cost
So we have gone over some of the ways that you can prevent your mixer from beginning to leak oil, but what do you do once it has started to leak?
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In some cases, you can slow down or temporarily stop the oil leaking by running the mixer on high with no ingredients in it. You may be able to use your mixer for a while without leaks, but eventually, the oil will start to seep out again. Unfortunately, once your KitchenAid mixer has begun leaking oil, the only way to truly fix the problem is to have the grease completely replaced.
The cost of getting your mixer repaired by KitchenAid can cost around $100 including the cost of their shipping kit. They will do the work for you by replacing the leaking grease with fresh solid grease and get it back to you in no time.
That being said, an oil leak will not cause damage to your machine on its own, and is perfectly safe to continue using as normal in your baking. It is totally up to you if you want to address the issue, or simply continue whipping up oil drips while you bake. If the leaking goes on for too long, you may begin to hear grinding noises, indicating that the gears have run out of lubrication. At that point, you will need to replace the grease before the mixer becomes damaged.
How to Fix Your Leaking KitchenAid Mixer DIY Style
There is also another option if you want to get your hands dirty (and save a few bucks).
Replacing oil yourself is a pretty straight forward process. There are a few simple steps to disassembling the machine and accessing the gearbox. If you are thinking about replacing the oil in your mixer on your own, check our complete guide on how to change grease in a KitchenAid mixer. Just make sure you purchase the correct type of grease.
If you are more of a visual person, take a look at this:
No More Leaking Mixer!
In the grand scheme of kitchen quandaries, a KitchenAid leaking oil is but a minor hiccup. The path to a leak-free mixer is paved with regular use, vigilance against overheating, and a sprinkle of tender loving care.
Should you ever find yourself facing this oily dilemma, rest easy knowing that KitchenAid stands ready to lend a professional hand in repairing your culinary companion.
Whether you choose to entrust your mixer to the experts or embark on a re-greasing adventure yourself, remember that maintenance is the secret ingredient to a long and fruitful relationship with your KitchenAid. With just a touch of attention, your mixer will be whisking and whirling, poised to help you whip up your next gastronomic triumph. Here’s to many more delicious creations and joyous baking adventures!
KitchenAid Oil Leaks FAQs
Source: https://gardencourte.com
Categories: Kitchens
